Transport bosses pledge to keep 442 Rochdale bus service

Date published: 23/02/2007

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) has stepped in to keep services running on the 442 route between Rochdale, Sudden and Castleton.

Members of the Transport Network Committee heard that Bu-Val Buses is going to cancel the service from Sunday. The move would leave some areas of Sudden and the Castleton Estate with no daytime bus service.

GMPTA has a limited budget to pay for replacement services when operators withdraw buses from the commercial network. However, rather than leave people without a bus service, members of the Committee have agreed to fund a replacement service which will start on Monday.

Rochdale spokesperson for the Authority, Councillor Allen Brett, said: "We know how important this link is - bus services can provide a lifeline for many people who do not have cars.

"When operators decide to withdraw services it often has a damaging effect on communities. Thankfully we have a small amount of money to subsidise socially necessary services and I'm very pleased that GMPTA has decided to step in for the benefit of residents in this case.

"GMPTE has already arranged for another service provider to run the 442 with a subsidy from us and, as the replacement starts on Monday, passengers will not be left without a service."

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: "I am delighted that the GMPTA have stepped in – this is exactly what the budget is for and I am glad that passengers will not be affected.  Bu-val removed a popular service in Milkstone last year and I’m concerned that yet again Bu-val has let Rochdale down.  In a time when the idea of Congestion Charging is on the agenda – this is another example of bus services not being trusted to provide essential services in our town." 

Around 85 percent of the bus network in Greater Manchester is run by commercial bus operators who choose where and when to run bus services. GMPTA is lobbying the government for more control of bus services for the benefit of all areas of Greater Manchester.

The subsidised 442 will be run by Rossendale Transport and will operate at the same frequency as previously operated - every 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday.